Developmentally appropriate, authentic and relevant homework can provide additional learning experiences for students. Homework should focus on:

• Practice of new learning and solidify concepts and understandings
• Pre-reading of new material to be introduced in class
• Reading for knowledge and pleasure

Homework is not appropriate for:

• Homework for the sake of homework
• To cover curriculum
• Discipline
• School holidays: no homework, projects, or assessments should be due in any class, including block classes meeting the day after return, immediately following any of the following holidays (exceptions apply to AP classes and exceptions with administrative approval):
  • Thanksgiving
  • Easter
  • Christmas
  • Spring Break
• Use in completing a textbook
• Evenings or weekends of school-sponsored events which affect a large segment of their students, such as tournaments, concerts, or other special activities as specifically designated by administration.

Examples of inappropriate homework practices include:

• Homework due the day it was assigned; homework should typically be due during class time.
• Homework assigned in the absence of classroom introduction or instruction; homework should be review of or preparation for classroom learning. Exceptions include AP courses.
• Homework that focuses on abundant repetition of a skill already mastered or a concept already understood.
• Homework that unduly emphasizes practice of a skill or concept unrelated to the learning objectives of a course.
• Weighting homework as more than 20% of a student’s final grade.

Purpose Homework is an instructional strategy and is best used as independent guided practice to inform learning. Homework should have different amounts and purposes at different grades. Elementary students should be given homework to

• Support development of time management and organizational skills
• Communicate with parents the skills and concepts being taught in class
• Practice skills and solidify concepts with timely teacher feedback
• Practice oral and silent reading for knowledge and pleasure

Middle and high school students should be given homework to:

• Improve achievement
• Extend the time available for both practice and investigative learning
• Help more mature students take charge of their own learning opportunities
• Provide feedback on learning practice
• Encourage independent reading for pleasure

Homework Principles

Based on an analysis of research studies, CHA supports the following principles:

• Homework assignments for students with individualized education plans (SSP) should be short and focused on reinforcement of skills and class lessons and should be within the specifications of the SSP.
• Monitoring of assignments for students is necessary for all and critical for those with individualized education plans (SSP) and/or an English language deficiency.
• Homework should involve parents' encouragement, oversight, and monitoring of study management by the students. Homework assignments should keep required parental involvement in the academic content to a minimum.
• Homework should be evaluated soon after completion for feedback purposes.

Required Independent Reading for K-5th Grades